I work in legal and Household incomes average around $103,739 in Beverly. The unemployment rate is 2.5%, which is pretty low. Median household income is $103,739, which feels pretty solid for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Beverly sits at 111.1 per 100K. It's a a smaller city city with about 42,408 people. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
Pros:
- Good schools
- Diverse community
- Low taxes
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Hot summers
- Rising rent prices
Thoughts? People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Margaret R.
Saving this thread
40 upvotes
hazel_native
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Isabella A.
I work in hospitality here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is challenging. No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Bennett Taylor
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 26, moved here 12 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Cedar Grove and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for couples. tough vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Phoenix, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
33 upvotes
wesley_dude
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Hope this helps!.
29 upvotes
Nevaeh R.
nah I disagree
28 upvotes
Jeremiah S.
lol so true
28 upvotes
Greyson Jackson
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is walkability. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
12 upvotes
Sadie Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 7 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Luna Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Everly Hughes
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is decent in most areas.
8 upvotes
Isaiah T.
following this thread
3 upvotes
Gabriella Wright
Moved here from Tampa about 8 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Good luck with whatever you decide..
1 upvotes
Everly Sanders
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Highland. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like sushi.